That Dáil Eireann

That Dáil Eireann: - Reaffirms Article 6.1 of the Constitution which states: “All powers of government, legislative, executive and judicial, under God, from the people whose right it is to designate the rulers of the State and, in final appeal, to decide all questions of national policy, according to the requirements of the common good;” - Notes that the 31st Dáil established a Constitutional Convention by resolution on 10 July 2012; - Further notes that on the 9th June, 2013, the Constitutional Convention voted overwhelmingly that direct democracy (citizens’ initiatives) with adequate safeguards be introduced; - Upholds the principle of direct democracy and the holding of constitutional referenda to affect legislative change; - Acknowledges that a newly constituted Citizens’ Assembly would help implement the principles of direct democracy by adding citizen initiated referendums to the Irish Constitution: - Supports empowering a Citizens’ Assembly for the period of One Year so that it can devise a new mechanism that will enable citizens to robustly scrutinise proposed legislation; assess and advocate for citizens’ initiatives and table amendments and counter proposals to government sponsored legislation; Agrees that: • Membership of the new One Year Citizens’ Assembly will consist of a chairperson, to be appointed by An Taoiseach, and consist of a minimum of 66 citizens randomly selected so as to be broadly representative of Irish society and who are entitled to vote on a referendum people randomly selected so as to be broadly representative of Irish society and who are entitled to vote in local authority elections; • A Member of the Northern Assembly from each of the political parties; • One Member of the Oireachtas appointed by their political party/grouping; • Substitutes may be appointed to sit on the Convention by their political parties/groupings who will be entitled to full participation rights on the Convention including the right to vote; Further agrees that: • The Convention will agree its owns rules of procedure to ensure effective conduct of its business which will be done in as economical manner as possible; • The Convention will give appropriate regard to the conventions and clauses contained within the Good Friday and St Andrew’s Agreements; • The Convention will present an interim report to the Houses of the Oireachtas, including its recommendations, within two months of completing its deliberations; • The Convention may invite and accept submissions from interested bodies and members’ of the public and will seek advice and guidance whenever necessary to aid its members in their deliberations; • All matters before the Convention will be determined by a majority of the votes cast by Members present; • The Chairperson will have the casting vote in the event of a hung vote; • The Taoiseach will provide to the Oireachtas a response to the recommendation/s of the Convention within one month of receiving the interim and final reports, and he/she will indicate the timeframe for when the Dáil envisages holding any related referendum. Co signed Deputy Party Constituency Gerry Adams Sinn Fein Louth Richard Boyd Barrett Anti Austerity Alliance-People before Profit Dun Laoghaire John Brady Sinn Fein Wicklow Tommy Broughan Independent 4 Change Dublin Bay North Pat Buckley Sinn Fein Cork East Joan Collins Independent 4 Change Dublin South Central Catherine Connolly Independent Galway West Sean Crowe Sinn Fein Dublin South West David Cullinane Sinn Fein Waterford Clare Daly Independent 4 Change Dublin Fingal Pearse Doherty Sinn Fein Donegal Dessie Ellis Sinn Fein Dublin North West Martin Ferris Sinn Fein Kerry County Kathleen Funchion Sinn Fein Carlow/Kilkenny Seamus Healy Independent WUA Tipperary Gino Kenny Anti Austerity Alliance-People before Profit Dublin Mid West Martin Kenny Sinn Fein Sligo Leitrim Catherine Martin Green Party Dublin Rathdown Mary Lou McDonald Sinn Fein Dublin Central Denise Mitchell Sinn Fein Dublin Bay North Imelda Munster Sinn Fein Louth Carol Nolan Sinn Fein Offaly Jonathan O Brien Sinn Fein Cork North Central Eoin O Broin Sinn Fein Dublin Mid West Caoimhghin O Caolain Sinn Fein Cavan Monaghan Donnchadh O Laoghaire Sinn Fein Cork South Central Louise O Reilly Sinn Fein Dublin Fingal Aengus O Snodaigh Sinn Fein Dublin South Central Maureen O Sullivan Independent Dublin Central Thomas Pringle Independent Donegal Maurice Quinlivan Sinn Fein Limerick City Eamon Ryan Green Party Dublin South Brid Smith Anti Austerity Alliance-People before Profit Dublin South Central Brian Stanley Sinn Fein Laois Peadar Tóibín Sinn Fein Meath West Mick Wallace Independent 4 Change Wexford .

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